3of11DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Seth Russell #17 of the Baylor Bears looks for an open receiver against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the second quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 4, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)Photo: Tom Pennington, Staff / Getty Images

4of11Baylor quarterback Seth Russell celebrates running in for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against SMU, Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)Photo: LM Otero, STF / Associated Press

5of11Baylor wide receiver KD Cannon (9) reaches for a pass against SMU defensive back Jesse Montgomery (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)Photo: LM Otero, STF / Associated Press

6of11Baylor running back Devin Chafin (28) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the SMU, Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)Photo: LM Otero, STF / Associated Press

7of11Baylor wide receiver Jay Lee (4) stretches to score a touchdown against SMU defensive back Horace Richardson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)Photo: LM Otero, STF / Associated Press

10of11SMU quarterback Matt Davis looks to pass during the first half against Baylor on Sept. 4, 2015, in Dallas.Photo: LM Otero /Associated Press

11of11Baylor wide receiver Jay Lee (4) catches a touchdown pass against SMU defensive back David Johnson (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)Photo: LM Otero, STF / Associated Press

DALLAS — Fears about the regression of Baylor’s offense with new quarterback Seth Russell in charge proved to be a little overstated.

If anything, the Bears look even more explosive with the fast and talented Russell directing the offense than they were during their two Big 12 championship seasons when Bryce Petty in charge.

After a slow start, the Bears erupted for 28 straight points to blow open a 56-21 victory over SMU on Friday night. All of the weapons of their potent offensive attack were on full display for a national television audience.

The Bears rolled up 723 total yards as they set a school record by producing 10.5 yards per snap. Baylor rushed for 300 yards and passed for more than 400 yards in the same game for the fourth time in school history.

“I feel like we haven’t taken a step back,” said Russell, who passed for 376 yards and five touchdowns before he was pulled early in the fourth quarter. “If anything, we’ve taken a step forward.”

Those claims weren’t apparent during a lull in the second quarter as the Bears were stymied on three consecutive drives without a first down. Those doldrums enabled SMU to stay close early in new coach Chad Morris’ first game with the Mustangs.

“They changed defenses on us and got a little softer and brought some inside blitzes,” said Russell, who graded his game as “subpar.” “I’ve got to hit open receivers. I missed a couple of throws and had an interception in there and threw the ball behind guys. Luckily, the defense stepped up like we knew they would.”

Baylor was fortunate to claim a 28-21 halftime lead that was maintained only after a critical sack by Grant Campbell on SMU’s final first-half play. The Mustangs came away with no points when they ran out of timeouts before the break.

“That was the biggest moment, the biggest drive in the game,” Baylor senior safety Terrell Burt said. “That helped us and gave us momentum for the second half thinking we had this game.”

SMU failed to score on its nine final possessions after scoring touchdowns on three of its first four drives to start the game.

Offensive fireworks were apparent from the beginning as the two teams combined for three touchdowns in less than 2 minutes to start the game.

Baylor played without Big 12 preseason defensive player of the year Shawn Oakman and starting safety Orion Stewart, who were suspended for one game by the school for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

“From a leadership standpoint a bunch and from a playmaking standpoint,” Briles said. “You’re talking about two All-Big 12 players. It’s encouraging to see guys rally and play for each other and come back out with a win.”

Russell finished with a flourish, capping his night with a 65-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter that was wiped out by a holding call on Baylor wide receiver Ishmael Zamora. Russell’s speed was evident as he streaked untouched for the final 30 yards en route to the end zone.

“I don’t think we’ve lost a step with Seth,” Baylor senior tackle Spencer Drango said. “If anything, him being back there kind of adds another weapon. That play didn’t count, but he can get out and run and run well. It’s another weapon for our offense to help us succeed.”

The junior quarterback was done after that play, but replacement Jarrett Stidham kept the scoring binge going by hooking up with Chris Platt on a 42-yard touchdown pass on the next play to finish Baylor’s scoring run.

“We just feel like we’ve got money in our back pocket with these guys,” Briles said. “We’ve been through a lot. When things go bad and the momentum turns around and you can feel it, just hang on and make plays. I thought guys did a great job of staying the course tonight, and Seth was phenomenal.”

Tim Griffin has been a journalist for more than 30 years working at a variety of newspapers and websites, including more than 25 years at the San Antonio Express-News. He has covered all four Spurs NBA championship series victories, along with 12 national championship football games and five Final Fours. Griffin has been honored nationally and regionally for his writing and enterprise and was a former national president of the Football Writers Association of America. He is a graduate of the University of Memphis and is married with one son.